The law specifically requires that assessors view each parcel of real estate to appraise its market value. Property values change continuously with changing market conditions. In addition to market changes, numerous physical changes affect the value of land and buildings. Such changes may include draining and clearing the land, improving the adjacent public streets and installing utilities, and adding to or remodeling buildings.

All factors are considered in estimating the value of property. This requires physical inspection of all property subject to assessment.

The Assessor also determines the classification, or use, of each parcel. For instance, property may be residential homestead (owner-occupied), residential non-homestead, agricultural, commercial, etc. Each classification is taxed at a different percentage of taxable market value.

Under state law, properties are to be viewed at least once every 5 years. Values can be changed on an annual basis (based upon changing market conditions); however, an inspection and appraisal review should be conducted every 5th year. In addition, all new construction or alterations are viewed in the current year.

The Minnesota property tax system is based upon the Ad Valorem system. Ad Valorem utilizes the premise that taxation should be based upon value. Well maintained property will be commanding more value from buyers, and hence will experience a higher value than properties that are not maintained.

Annual Homestead Applications are no longer required. The 1993 Homestead Application serves as our base homestead application year, and changes in ownership and changes in occupancy would require a new Homestead Application.

You must complete a voter registration card and return it to the Auditor's Office no later than 20 days before the next election. These voter registration cards are available in the Auditor's Office, with your driver's license application, in your state income tax booklet, or in most state offices.

The questions are simple, such as: name, address, birthday, and last address where you were registered.

No. Your registration is permanent unless you move, change your name or fail to vote for the last 4 years. If you move or change your name you must complete a new voter registration card, so we can update our records. This is true even if you just move to a new apartment in the same building.

All voters who have not voted in the last 4 years are purged from our files, so then you would need to re-register, as well.

Polling places are listed on the card you received from the Secretary of State verifying your address when you registered. If that polling place is changed for any reason, you will receive a new card. If you cannot locate this card or if you have any other questions regarding elections, call the Auditor's Office at 218-299-5006.

The Correctional Facility is located at 800 9th St. N,, Moorhead, Minnesota. Report to door number 14, located on the west corner of the building. Press the intercom inside the lobby to notify jail staff you are reporting.

The 2 tests that have the most health significance are coliform bacteria, an indicator of bacterial pollution, and nitrate nitrogen, an indicator of a failing septic system, fertilizers or natural occurrence. If you have questions, call 218-846-1465.

The county ordinance requires that the on-site septic system be inspected and certified by the county upon transfer of ownership. It is the responsibility of the selling party to submit a request for a compliance inspection. The cost of updating a system can be a bargaining tool for the seller and buyer. It is important to have the system looked at before any papers are signed.

If your resort is going to be offering lodging for 5 or more, a license is needed. If it's going to offer for less than 5, no license is needed. Make sure local zoning rules allow you to have this sort of business before doing so. Local laws may be more restrictive than state rules or statutes.

A Board and Lodge with Special Services might meet your needs. These types of facilities can provide help with making medical appointments, special diets, monitoring and reminding resident to take their medications, help with dressing and so on.

The cost depends on the number of bedrooms you offer. Each licensee pays a base fee along with an amount per lodging room. If you offer a swimming pool, spa pool, food, beverages or have a public water supply or septic system there is an extra charge.

View the Plan Review link below and fill out an application for plan review. Follow the directions for developing your plans, getting zoning approvals and so on. Once the plans have been submitted, approved and returned, construction may begin. Contact your sanitarian for a final inspection and pay the required annual license fee. Plan Review

A good rule of thumb is shrubs that bloom in late spring (old wood) should be pruned right after flowering. Shrubs that bloom on the current season’s growth (new wood) should be pruned in late winter or early spring before growth begins. Pruning should be avoided in fall because pruning wounds will remain open over winter which could cause drying and dieback at the pruning site. As with any good rule of thumb there are always exceptions; to learn more please view the pruning trees and shrubs.

Smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) can be pruned to the first set of buds above ground. Panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) can also be pruned in spring to retain form, generally by removing lateral branches.

In the strictest sense, a Geographic Information System (GIS) is a system capable of assembling, storing, manipulating, and displaying geographically referenced information, i.e. data identified according to their locations.

The landowner must contact the Highway Department and they will view the ditch, and make an engineering survey if necessary. The Highway Department will stake the project, if necessary, and the landowner will remove the silt at their expense.

Yes. Any request for an access connection (new, changed, modified, altered, re-constructed, etc.) onto a county highway or public right-of-way, which includes any field entrance, driveway or public / private roadway, requires a permit. This includes any type of access such as permanent, temporary or field opening.

Mailbox posts can be purchased from the Highway Department, but must be installed by the mailbox owner. The cost is currently $69. Mounting instructions and an assembly sheet is provided with each mailbox post.

Before any work is done on any utilities within a Clay County right-of-way, the persons involved must call the Highway Department to get a utility permit. The permit details location and the work to be done. This permit is reviewed by the County Engineer and recommendations are provided for the completion of the work.

Anytime there is to be any digging, a call must be made to Gopher 1 State Call. Gopher 1 is responsible for utility locates and can be reached at 800-252-1166.

Yes, in December of 2012 the Clay County Board of Commissioners adopted a comprehensive Access Management Ordinance (2012-04), which effectively amended and repealed certain sections of the county Development Code.

Prior to adoption of Ordinance 2012-04, the county Development Code only included a few nondescript regulations pertaining to access management. The “development” definition per the code was not all inclusive and in certain circumstances the county would have no oversight or approval authority on access connections.

Ordinance 2012-04 addressed these issues and appropriately provides the county Highway Department with the proper standards and procedures for access permitting.

Yes. Any request for an access connection (new, changed, modified, altered, re-constructed, etc.) onto a county highway or public right-of-way, which includes any field entrance, driveway or public / private roadway, requires a permit. This includes any type of access such as permanent, temporary or field opening.

Yes. As acknowledged by the Clay County Policy Statement adopted by the County Board on November 20, 2012 the county may provide the necessary culvert(s) for access onto a highway for an abutting landowner, upon issuance of an access permit. For additional information, see the Clay County Drainage Structure Policy.

Once you submit an access permit, the county has 3 working days to determine whether the application is complete. Following acceptance of a complete application a final decision needs to be rendered within 30 days.

Access permits are valid for 2 years. If construction has not been completed within this time frame and an extension has not been granted per ordinance requirements, the permit shall become null and void.

Yes. Section 8.3.6(G)(2) defines the minimum standards for roadways and driveways and requirements for full and limited access connections. Spacing standards vary based on the roadways functional classification, the posted speed limit and whether the access will be full movement or limited.

After an applicant or contractor completes an application, it must be presented to the township for their approval. Some township officers will just sign them independently, but some townships require the applicant to come to a township meeting. After that, the application must be returned to the Planning Office, with payment, to receive final approval.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are available on the Clay County website. The Planning and Zoning staff can assist with looking up flood zones for specific parcels on the maps, they can be reached by telephone at 218-299-5005 or by email.

We provide probation and supervised release supervision for adult misdemeanor / gross misdemeanor and all juvenile offenders in Clay County. Evidence-based best practices are incorporated in providing this supervision, including assessment, motivational interviewing, case planning and management.

Our goal is to ensure public safety by providing this community based service.

This agency works closely with the Restorative Justice program in Clay County in an effort to repair the harm done to the victims of crime.

Probation is a court disposition that allows a juvenile or adult to remain within the community under the supervision of a probation officer when adjudicated or found guilty of a criminal act.

Supervised release is supervision in the community after a juvenile or adult is released from a commitment to the Commissioner of Corrections and is returning to the community from a state correctional facility.

Clay County Probation uses a portion of the adult supervision fees collected in the county for the Juvenile Offender Restitution Program.

These monies are used to repay a crime victim that has documented a personal financial loss. If a juvenile does not have the ability to repay the victim they can be assigned to this program and complete community work service hours.

These hours are computed at $10 per hour and a check is sent to the victim by Court Administration.

The Clay County Medical Reserve Corps is a countywide resource for health care professionals and other volunteers. The Medical Reserve Corps is part of the Citizens Corps, a national initiative to mobilize and coordinate volunteers so communities across America can better respond to disasters. The Clay County Medical Reserve Corps is coordinated by staff in the Clay County Public Health Department.

The majority of our Clay County communities have some volunteer emergency responders. This may not be enough. We need to be prepared for anything. We don’t know what type of disaster/emergency we may be faced with. The more trained volunteers we have the greater our chances for survival. A quote from the U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona: "Prepared communities make stronger communities".

The Clay County Medical Reserve Corps is currently enrolling only citizens of Clay County. If you are a resident of North Dakota, please contact your local public health agency. If you are a resident of Pope, Stevens / Traverse / Grant, Wilkin, Ottertail, and Douglas counties, please contact your county public health department and ask about the West Central Region Medical Reserve Corps.

Many roles in the Medical Reserve Corps do not require a license. Your training and experience will still be a valuable asset to an emergency response. All Medical Reserve Corps volunteers will learn about the range of positions available during orientation.

All healthcare professionals are requested to fill out an application with Minnesota Responds at http://www.health.state.mn.us/minnesotaresponds. MN Responds is the state data base for volunteers. Medical Reserve Corps county coordinators have access to the data base for their area only. This is a secured website. If you do not have access to the internet to complete an application, contact the Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator and an application will be mail you.

The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has developed Minnesota Responds!, a volunteer registry of people who are willing to volunteer during a community emergency. Names of the registrants will be made available to the Clay County Medical Reserve Corps during an emergency. Enrollment in the Clay County Medical Reserve Corps ensures that your information will be available to your local health department and that you will be credentialed and trained before being called upon to respond to an emergency.

In the event of an emergency, a wide range of skills and abilities could be needed. The Clay County Medical Reserve Corps is looking for licensed healthcare professionals and non-licensed people who enjoy working with others to make a difference in the health of the public. Some jobs will require people who have computer skills, clerical skills, foreign language skills, data entry skills or handy person skills. Other jobs will require licensed medical professionals such as nurses, physicians, pharmacists, dentists, nurse practitioners and physician's assistants. The main qualification is the willingness to help. All volunteers will learn about the range of positions available during orientation.

The location of the site will vary depending on the emergency. The purpose is to volunteer for Clay County. Additionally, there could be an opportunity to volunteer in the West Central Region in Minnesota if you choose. Because Medical Reserve Corps is a national organization, you may have opportunities outside of your local area if you so choose.

The Recorder’s Office can make certified copies of most Minnesota births. A requester can apply for a certified copy of their own record or their child's, their parent's, their grandchild's or grandparent’s record by filling out a birth application form and showing a government issued picture ID. A requester can also obtain a certified birth record under certain other legal circumstances. Call the Recorder’s Office at 218-299-5031 to determine if they have the record available.

The records in the Clay County Recorder's Office can be viewed in person at:807 11th St. N.Moorhead, MN 56560

Hours:Monday - Friday8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

If you have a document number and need a copy mailed or faxed, the Clay County Recorder’s Office will be happy to help you at the time of payment.

Recording is the 1st priority. If a request is mailed or faxed, we will do limited research at no charge as we have time available. There is a charge for copies and faxing. Requests are processed in the order they are received. If you need research done quickly, contact an abstractor, attorney, title company or some other type of researcher to help you.

Clay County does not sell any legal real estate forms. FM Printing is the forms distributor for Clay County. They can be contacted by calling 218-233-1531 or visiting the business located at:710 Main Ave.Moorhead, MN 56560

If a transferring document requires a Certificate of Real Estate Value, well information is also required. If there are no wells on the property, the transfer document must contain a statement attesting to this fact, such as:"The seller certifies that the seller does not know of any wells on the described real property."

If there is a well(s) located on the property, a completed Well Disclosure Certificate must accompany the transferring document, or if the seller can make the following statement on the transferring document, a Well Disclosure Certificate is not needed:"I am familiar with the property described in this instrument and I certify that the status and the number of wells on the described real property have not changed since the last previously filed Well Disclosure Certificate."

The Torrens system was developed by Sir Robert Richard Torrens (1814-1884), an Australian customs officer and reformer of Australian land laws. He subsequently became a Registrar of Deeds. Sir Robert Torrens was looking for 5 qualities:Low CostReliabilitySimplicitySpeedSuitability

The Torrens system was originally a ship registry system whereby each ship owner was assigned a certificate that included various information. When a vessel was sold, the seller surrendered the certificate for cancellation and a new certificate was given to the new owner.

We need a release of information statement from the owner or driver of the vehicle, or anyone else involved in the accident. There is a fee for the copy. If the person involved in the accident is under 18 years of age, the parent or guardian may receive, or authorize release of the accident report. Release forms are available at the Sheriff’s Office.

We are in the Law Enforcement Center at 911 11th Street North, Moorhead, MN. Our building is located directly north of the Clay County Courthouse. After entering the Law Enforcement Center, ask for the Sheriff‘s Office at the front counter. You will be directed to the Administrative Office.

We provide a Certificate of Service for all civil papers served. The serving deputy may be issued a subpoena to testify in court as to the service. We also have a wide variety of resources available to assist us in locating individuals for service.

Yes. There is a service fee, unless a court order is being served. The fees for service are $35 plus mileage. Mileage costs start at $7.17 and increase based upon distance from the Clay County Courthouse.

The first step: the landlord (plaintiff) must present the tenant (defendant) with a written notice stating the reasons for the notice and a time period within which the tenant must reply or act.

The second step: apply for an Eviction Summons and an Eviction Complaint. This process is the first step in a legal action against the tenant. The Summons portion of the matter is the court date when both parties must appear to present their case for the judge. The Eviction Complaint states the specifics of the action, i.e., non-payment of rent, lease violations, criminal activity, etc. Once hearing both sides, the judge will make a ruling.

The third step: with the ruling for the tenant, the tenant will stay. If the ruling is for the landlord, a Writ of Recovery will be issued. The plaintiff presents the Writ of Recovery to the Sheriff’s Office for service. Once the Writ has been served or posted upon the premises, the tenant has 24 hours to remove their belongings and leave the premises. The Sheriff’s Office will remove a tenant at this point if they do not comply.

The Civil Process conducts mortgage foreclosure sales, redemption of properties, collection of judgments via Writ of Execution or as a result of legal action, as well as assisting other divisions of the Sheriff’s Office with day to day operations.

If there is no court order in place at the time of application for services, it could take several months or more to establish an order. Many factors affect the length of time it takes to establish an order including, but not limited to: is paternity an issue, does one party reside in a different state/country, do we have financial information, can we locate the other parent, etc.

Yes, you can represent yourself by using forms created by the courts to file motions for many different types of actions. Some actions, like custody or parenting time, must be heard in the District Court. Most child support issues are heard in the Expedited Process.Minnesota Judicial Branch Court Forms

Clay County contracts with the Father’s Resource Program through Mahube-Otwa Community Action Partnership to assist clients with completing Pro Se forms for various court actions such as modifying their child support order, establishing custody, or establishing parenting time. Call 218-632-3600 or online at

Call your child support worker to have your PIN mailed to you if you don’t have it. The local child support office does not provide payment information or printouts as it is available by phone at 1-800-657-3512 or online at

Generally the state child support office does not mail out checks (unless it is a refund to the payor of child support). There are two options for parents to choose from to receive their child support payments. They are:

a ReliaCard which is a debit card offered by U.S. Bank. This card can only be used for child support.

Payments can be mailed to Clay County Collections Unit, 715 N 11th St Suite 102, Moorhead MN 56560 or brought in to our agency for a receipt. We accept cash, checks, and/or money orders. Please include your case number and/or social security number with all payments so they are applied to the correct case.

Real Estate and Personal Property Tax statements and Manufactured Home tax statements are mailed once a year. The mailing deadline for Real Estate and Personal Property tax statements is March 31st. The mailing deadline for Manufactured Home tax statements is July 15th.

Taxes unpaid through December 31st will be considered delinquent on January 2nd and interest will accrue on a monthly basis. If the delinquent taxes are not paid by the 2nd Monday in May, the forfeiture process will begin with a court judgment being entered against the property for the unpaid tax, penalty, interest, and costs.

In the late 1970s there was a program referred to as the Senior Citizens Tax Freeze. That program was changed and expanded to include home owners and renters and is called the Property Tax Refund Program.

Your entitlement to a VA guaranteed home loan can be restored if you sell the home you previously bought and pay the VA loan in full, allow a veteran to assume your home loan and substitute his or her entitlement for yours, or if you pay your VA loan in full and exercise your 1 time option to have your entitlement restored, even though you still own the home.

The overall average stay is about 13 days. However, youth sentenced to our program by the Court spend between 30 to 90 days here, while youth waiting for Court may be placed for 1 week or 2 weeks. Non-secure detention stays are between 1 day and 30 days.

Only parents, immediate family, court personnel, and attorneys can visit. There are certain visitation hours to follow. Calls can be made to or received from the above listed people on a limited basis. Mail is acceptable anytime.